Furniture Package vs Buying Pieces Separately: Which Is Better Value?
You have the keys, and the apartment is empty. So now you have two options. Either you will have to pay one price for the entire package of furniture and get it all delivered at once, or you will need to spend some weekends at IKEA, Amart and elsewhere choosing all that you will need.
Both methods can be considered. In this guide we will see how each method will cost you when pricing an entire apartment one way and another, what costs there are apart from the price tag, and where a separate purchase is the more sensible choice.
The short answer
In case you want to furnish your entire apartment in one go, you need it fast, or you want something that is presentable for tenants or guests, it pays to go for the package. This is especially true when you factor in the costs associated with delivery, assembly, small furniture, and your time. In case you need just a couple of things, have everything you need, or have the time and a vehicle to get it done, going separate is cheaper.
Below are short answers to the three most frequently asked questions:
- What are the pros of getting bundled home packages over buying items separately? Getting a package offers you all-in-one pricing, all-in-one design and all-in-one delivery. Buying separately offers you flexibility, but you are responsible for the delivery, installation and planning. Here lies the essence of bundled home packages versus buying separately.
- Which should I choose, packages or big retail shops, after recently moving in? Choosing packages will save you time if you want the entire home functional at once. If you are secure for money and rich with time, then start from scratch by purchasing a few essentials. If comparing furniture packages and separate products by IKEA Amart, calculate prices first for the same rooms.
- What does a package include? The turnkey package includes furniture, kitchen ware, small appliances, essentials and accessories.
The only method of knowing about your location is through comparison of items within the rooms.
What a furniture package actually includes
A “furniture package” can mean different things for different firms. It pays to look at the content before comparing prices. At Vivin Furnishings, we offer two packages. Both packages are designed by us, then installed.
Furniture packages
This includes all the major pieces of furniture for the living room, dining room and bedrooms which coordinate well. They will ask those who have linen, kitchenware and furnishings.
“Just Designer Furniture Packages” by us are priced starting at $8,499 + GST for one bedroom, $10,999 + GST for two bedrooms and $12,999 + GST for three bedrooms.
Those who want cost-effective complete packages of furniture for the new owners of apartments having their linens, kitchenware and furnishings should take this path.
Full turnkey packages
The turnkey package is made so that you can walk in and start living there immediately. The Full Turnkey Designer Furniture Package that we offer starts from $15,999 + GST for one bedroom, $19,999 + GST for two bedrooms and $24,999 + GST for three. These prices are primarily for New South Wales. Prices may be different in Melbourne and Brisbane; please ask us for the quote.
This is the list of items in the turnkey package for one bedroom:
- Bedroom: double or queen bed, mattress, mattress protector, two bedside tables, two bedside lamps, doona, cushions, pillows, artwork and a throw rug.
- Sitting room: 2 or 3-seater sofa, cushions, rug, artwork, entertainment unit, coffee table, dining table with four chairs, floor lamp, decor pack, throw rug and artificial plant.
- Kitchen: microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kettle, plates, bowls, glasses, coffee cups and cutlery set for four people. You also receive a cookware set, roasting dish, knife set and block, chopping boards, serving bowls, a colander, tongs, a peeler, a can opener, corkscrew, measuring jugs, kitchen bin and more.
- Necessary things: a fan, hair dryer, first aid box, toilet brush, plunger, bathroom trash can, dustpan and broom, light bulbs, power board and extension cord.
- Laundry: a broom, bucket, mop, iron, ironing board, vacuum cleaner, and drying clothes rack.
The two and three bedroom sets have the same list, but they will include additional beds, bedside tables, dining chairs and kitchen sets. You get a full set of furniture for your entire house. You can also check out our Turnkey and Just Furniture brochures.
In case you are selling your property instead of living in it, our staging package is for you.
Are appliances included?
Not entirely. Such small household equipment as a microwave, coffee machine, toaster and kettle belongs to the list of basic inclusions. It is not the case for large appliances.
You can get your fridge, washing machine, smart TV and dryer upon request. Get a quotation and pay one delivery and one invoice for the entire apartment.
It is essential if you need a complete home furniture and appliance set. Always clarify the included items from any company.
The real cost of one apartment, both ways
For fair comparison, every item must be priced twice. The first time, price it as a package deal; the second time, price it in parts through big box stores.
A one-bedroom apartment, priced piece by piece
It requires much to make a one-bedroom apartment move-in ready or rent-ready; it includes a bed, sofa, dining set, rug, kitchen utensils, small appliances, linen, decoration, laundry and other things. The process of buying everything piece by piece includes going to several stores, paying separate delivery charges and assembling everything by oneself. With our Full Turnkey Designer package, we can give you everything in one order, including delivery and assembly, starting from $15,999 + GST, which makes it $17,599 with GST.
When it comes to comparing prices with stores like IKEA, Amart Furniture, Fantastic Furniture, Harvey Norman, Freedom or Kmart, it would be better if you would visit those stores on the same day, compare the quality of all items and take into consideration that GST may not be refundable for the purpose of residential rental. It is always better to consult an accountant in this regard. These stores do a wonderful job in their own price range, and some of the items can be bought as a deal but not for the whole apartment.
The costs that don’t show on the price tag
There’s more to consider than the sticker price. Include these in your calculations before you commit:
- Delivery fees: Every shop has different ones; delivery times are almost never the same day.
- Assembly: It takes an entire weekend to assemble flat-pack furniture in a whole apartment – or pay someone to do it for you through a service such as Airtasker.
- Van hire and packaging: If you are picking up everything yourself, you will need a van, as well as a place to dispose of all the packing materials.
- Your own time: Researching, going out shopping, being around for the deliveries and dealing with any returns.
- Lift bookings and strata restrictions: Five separate deliveries will require five separate lift bookings.
- Furniture pieces that don’t fit: An item that doesn’t fit into the space will cost you extra to exchange.
- The final 10 per cent: Coat hangers, bathroom mats, a shower curtain, and a garbage bin. Small items really start to add up.
- Lost rental income: For real estate investors and Airbnb owners, each week an apartment sits empty, which is lost potential income.
Package vs separate pieces: side by side
| Furniture package | Buying separately | |
| Upfront cost | One price by bedroom count | It can be lower if you only buy basics. |
| Hidden costs | Delivery and installation are included. | Delivery, assembly and small items add up. |
| Time to a finished home | Within 10 working days, mainly in NSW | Weeks, depending on stock and your weekends |
| Design look | Planned to go together in a chosen style | Depends on your eye and what is in stock. |
| Fit for the room | Planned around your floor plan | Easy to get the scale wrong. |
| Delivery and assembly | Done by our team on one day | Several deliveries, and you build it |
| Flexibility | Swaps possible within the package | Total freedom, piece by piece |
| Who you deal with | One team and one invoice | Several stores and several sets of terms |
When buying separately is the better choice
It is always better to buy things on a piece-by-piece basis if:
- You require only two or three things, or you are refurbishing stuff that already exists in your already-furnished house.
- You have some good quality linens, kitchenware, and decorations.
- You own a car or a van, free weekends, and don’t mind assembling things from flat packs.
- You have one single showpiece item in mind and can create a room around it.
- You have very little money at hand and wish to start off with the bare minimum.
If that sounds like you, our guides to a room-by-room furnishing plan for first-time buyers and budget-friendly furnishing ideas will help you do it well.
When a package is the better choice
Your package is more likely to offer good value for money if:
- You are outfitting an entire apartment or home at one time.
- You need it to happen by a particular deadline such as a settlement, tenancy start date, or first listing on Airbnb.
- You require it to look great for photos.
- You are out of town (or country) and unable to be present for multiple deliveries.
- You would prefer not to have to make multiple decisions concerning cushions and end tables.
See our gallery for completed apartments. For a comparison between our different tiers, refer to our complete house furniture packages guide, and for Airbnb hosts, see our Airbnb furniture package checklist by room.
Can you customise a furniture package?
Absolutely. The package is just a beginning, not a set of requirements. First you decide how many bedrooms you want, and then select the style:
- Modern Sophistication
- Coastal Scandinavian
- Classic Hamptons
- Contemporary Luxe
- Premium Luxury
Essentially, every design package is customised to your requirements – so every property is unique with its own flair and character. The designer puts forward a proposal for the furniture according to the floor plan before ordering any item. After approving the furniture, we proceed to include all the necessary elements like artwork and accessories. It is possible to change items, increase the number of rooms or add additional things like white goods and outdoor furniture. More than three bedrooms? We can customise it.
Let’s schedule a consultation to discuss the details.
How fast a package can be delivered and set up
Once you sign off on your design and send through a purchase order, a set of furniture can be delivered and installed within 10 business days, generally in the state of New South Wales. In Sydney, it can be done in up to 7 working days. We will deliver, assemble and place all your furniture items; hence, no boxes or task list for you.
When it comes to apartments, inform us beforehand regarding lift and loading dock bookings and strata laws; hence, we can arrange the installation date accordingly. We operate out of our Sydney showroom, located in Wetherill Park, and the Melbourne branch in Epping. Installation times for Melbourne and Brisbane will vary, and hence, you should ask for more information while requesting a quote.
Questions to ask before you buy any package
No matter who you are buying from, make sure that you get clear answers to the following:
- Which products do you get and where, room by room?
- Do appliances, linens, and kitchenware come included, or are they additional?
- Is your quote GST inclusive or exclusive?
- Is delivery and installation included? Are there any surcharges for stairs, lifts, or regional areas?
- What is the deposit? When is the balance payable?
- What warranty comes with the furniture and appliances?
- Can I see a picture of the design before final payment?
Please feel free to ask these questions of us as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is a furniture package cheaper than buying it separately?
Most of the time, when you factor in delivery, assembly, additional pieces, and your own labour. It is sometimes cheaper to buy the components individually if all you require are the basics and can put it all together yourself. Calculate the cost both ways before deciding.
What’s usually included in a home package?
A package that includes furniture alone includes the living room, dining and bedroom furniture. In a full turnkey package, we include a package that includes kitchen items, small appliances, basics, linen, art and decorations and installation and delivery too. A refrigerator, washing machine, smart TV, and dryer can be included on request.
Can I customise a furniture package?
Yes. You decide the style you want, and we have our designer design your package according to the floor plan before ordering anything.
How fast can a package be delivered and set up?
Delivery and installation of a complete setup can be carried out within 10 working days after receiving your order, mostly in New South Wales. We do all the assembling and installing of accessories.
Are furniture packages good for Airbnb or rental properties?
Yes. It makes the property ready to sell fast, and it looks like a completed property in the pictures.
Get a price for your apartment.
The easiest way to compare is to see your own numbers. Tell us your number of bedrooms, and we will send a package proposal you can price against the stores yourself. Call (02) 7229 7247, email [email protected], or visit our showrooms at 6 Burilda Close, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164, and 15 Litoria Court, Epping, VIC 3076.